MRI三维超短回波时间双回波脉冲序列在骨与关节成像中的初步应用

目的 探讨MR三维超短回波时间(UTE)的双回波脉冲序列成像在骨与关节中的应用.方法 分别对7名健康志愿者和1名可疑左膝关节外侧半月板撕裂志愿者的胫骨干、膝关节、踝关节、腕关节及一段离体猪腓骨行MR三维UTE的双回波脉冲序列成像.将原始双回波图及多平面重组后的双回波图的前后2个回波相减获得相减后的差异图,比较2种图像处理方法的信噪比.将踝关节跟腱的UTE双回波成像的第1个回波时间(TE1)分别设置为0.08、0.16、0.24、0.35 ms,对比不同TE1时间2个原始回波相减所得的差异图的图像质量.对踝关节肌腱的TE1为0.08 ms的原始回波图相减后的差异图行最大强度投影获得肌腱的三维空间图.对获取的数据进行单因素方差分析和配对资料t检验.结果 通过对原始回波图相减后的差异图行最大强度投影显示了肌腱的三维空间分布图.8名志愿者的骨皮质、骨膜、肌腱和半月板在超短TE的双回波脉冲序列成像上表现为高信号.将原始双回波图(信噪比为2.82±0.75)行多平面重组后再减影(信噪比为3.76±0.88)可增加图像信噪比(t=-4.851,P<0.01).踝关节跟腱的不同TEl成像的图像质量不同,TE1为0.08 mg的图像质量最高,在TE1分别为0.08、0.16、0.24、0.35 ms时,对比噪声比分别为1.74±0.54、1.35±0.60、1.20±0.48、0.89±0.24,差异有统计学意义(F=3.681,P<0.05).随着成像时间的延长,伪影逐渐增多.结论 三维超短TE的双回波成像能显示传统的临床MR成像序列不能显示的主要含短T2成分的组织,为对这些组织的进一步量化研究奠定了基础.

The preliminary application of the 3D ultrashort TE double echo pulse sequence in the bone and joint MR imaging

Objective To investigate the application of 3D ultrashort TE double echo pulse sequence in the bone and joint MR imaging. Methods Eight volunteers and a porcine fibula in vitro with intact muscle were involved in this study. Among the volunteers, one was suspected with meniscus tear, the others were asypmtomatic. MR imaging of 3D ultrashort TE double echo pulse sequence were performed on the tibial diaphysis, knee joint, ankle and wrist of each volunteer and the porcine fibula in vitro. Using the first echo images subtract with the second echo images, we observed the subtracted images from the primary double echo images and MPR images respectively. We then compared the difference of SNR. Four different echo times of the first echo (TE1) in the images were set as 0. 08 ms, 0. 16 ms, 0. 24 ms, 0. 35 ms. The quality of the subtracted images from the primary double echo images of the four different TE1 was compared.The MIP images from the primary double echo images with TE1 of 0. 08ms were performed to display the 3D structure of the ankle tendons. The data were analysed with One-Way ANOVA and Paired-Samples t test statistically. Results The 3D images of the tendons were displayed through MIP of the subtracted images from the primary double echo images. The cortical bones, periosteums, tendons and menisci of the 8 volunteers appeared as high signal intensity in UTE pulse sequence. The SNR of the subtracted images from MPR images (SNR, 3.76 ± 0. 88) was significantly higher than those from the primary double echo images(SNR,2. 82±0. 75) (t = - 4. 851, P < 0. 01). There were significant differences among the subtracted images from each of the four different TE1. The highest quality were obtained from the TE1 of 0.08ms. The CNR were as follows: CNR<,0.08ms>1.74±0. 54, CNR<,0.16ms> 1.35 + 0. 60, CNR0.24ms>1.20±0. 48,CNR<0.35ms> 0.89±0. 24 (F = 3. 681, P < 0. 05). The artifacts appeared markedly with prolonging of the TE1.Conclusion The MRI of ultrashort TE double pulse sequence may display the short T2 components that appeared as low signal with conventional clinical MR imaging, which made it pessible to quantify the tissues containing a majority of short T2 components.